Check out simple equipment and care to avoid robberies and keep your car safe

Currently, it is very common to see videos of vehicle robberies on the internet, or even witness these situations live, which include approaches at the entrance or exit of the car, broken glass at traffic lights, theft of belongings and other criminal practices. Therefore, it is essential that drivers are attentive and adopt preventive behaviors and appropriate protection devices.

In this article you can check the correct way to act when entering and exiting the vehicle, safe attitudes in driving and parking, in addition to which protective equipment is most suitable.

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Preventive behavior when driving and accessing the vehicle to avoid robberies

The driver’s posture in moments of transition and during the journey is decisive in reducing exposure to risks and discouraging a robbery.

• Close approach: when heading to the car, observe your surroundings and have your keys in hand (except in approach key systems). Avoid distractions such as cell phone conversations or searching for objects in the bag next to the vehicle.
• Agility in boarding: get in, lock the doors immediately, start the engine and get the vehicle moving as soon as possible. Leave items such as mirrors or personal belongings organized and adjusted inside the car, because the less time stopped, the less vulnerability.
• Attention in traffic: keep the windows completely closed and avoid putting your arms out. When you notice the traffic light closed ahead, reduce speed gradually to avoid coming to a complete stop, especially at night.
• Positioning on the roads: prioritize the central lanes, which are farther from the sidewalks and make it difficult to approach on foot.
• Unforeseen management: if the tire punctures or the glass is hit by stones in isolated places, do not stop immediately; proceed to a safe and busy location, such as a gas station. Likewise, avoid stopping to provide assistance in deserted areas or opening the window to adjust the rearview mirror.
• Route planning: check the route on the GPS before leaving and avoid detours through neighborhoods or unfamiliar roads just to save a few minutes.

Parking precautions and protection of valuables

The opportunity for criminal action often arises from the exposure of valuable items and parking in inappropriate locations. So be aware of the following factors:

• Choice of parking location: give preference to well-lit, busy and visible roads. When waiting for passengers, avoid standing inside the car; Perform a lap around the block or wait in a safe place outside the vehicle.
• Concealment of belongings: do not leave purses, backpacks, cell phones or watches on the benches. Store your belongings on the floor of the vehicle or in the trunk. Accommodate objects in the trunk before arriving at the final destination to prevent observers in the parking lot from identifying the contents.
• Access to the residence: the installation of automatic gates reduces exposure when arriving or leaving the house. If you notice suspicious people on the block, take one more walk before entering the driveway.
• Locking and keys: Always check that doors and windows are locked. Never leave the key in the ignition, the vehicle running unattended, or spare keys hidden in the glove compartment or under the vehicle.

Technological devices and safety equipment

The use of complementary equipment acts as a deterrent and helps in the recovery of the asset in cases of theft or robbery. Good examples are:

• Anti-vandalism films: applied to the windows, they make it difficult to break and shatter the material against impacts from stones or objects, delaying the invasion of the passenger compartment. It is worth mentioning that the film does not have the property of armoring against firearms.
• Alarms and visible devices: Sound devices attract unwanted attention to the criminal. Visual resources, such as steering wheel locks, engraving of the identification number on the windows and alarm indicator lights, discourage break-in attempts.
• Immobilizer and interlock systems: Smart keys with ignition cut-off and safety switches disable the vehicle’s systems, preventing it from being started without authorization.
• Trackers and locators: equipment that uses wireless technology and GPS transmits signals to monitoring centers and police authorities, allowing for faster location and recovery of the stolen car.